LL install freezes halfway through the install...

[glin22]

I’ve got a situation that I don’t understand…

When I try to install LL using a known good DVD (md5 checksum verified) my machine will freeze up during the install. The funny thing is I have used the same DVD to make other installs without any problems, not sure why this particular machine doesn’t like it.

So then I tried using a disk that I installed LL on from another machine, was curious just to see what it would do. It boots up fine but then also hangs after a few minutes of use. Ok ok, I know not to use an install from a different machine, I just was curious to see if  LL would boot up.

I guess I’ll make a USB stick and see if that will allow me to install LL. But besides putting together a USB install stick, are there any other things I can check out ??

Anyone have any ideas on this problem ??

Thanks,

Glin22

[rokytnji]

See if the disk is scratched. I keep a disc cleaner and 90% rubbing alchohol to rule out dirt myself plus a cd cleaner disk with the brushes on it for the player laser lens.



I get dusty, crusty, stored city hall computers for free. Their old servers that they have the budget to upgrade with my tax dollars. So it aint too bad, I guess.

[labougie]

Linux newbie here and I seem to have a similar problem to glin22 - I get to the point of installing to hard disk and then the machine freezes with a message about closing the message window and letting the bug reporter come into play.  Unfortunately, I can't close the window because the machine is frozen and I have to turn it off.  This is a newly downloaded 64bit 2.4, checksum verified, on a clean new DVD+R. I look forward to comments from the team. 

[glin22]

Thanks for the feedback, ROK. What I did was to swap out the DVD burner for a different one which I have successfully used to do installs. Unfortunately, the same thing happens, the system will just freeze up. Mouse and keyboard lockup, there isn't a way to get to the terminal, I have to reboot.

I made a USB stick to do the install with, I can see things come up, you know where it says which language you want to use, I thought it was going to finally install but then it will just freeze up after that, no way into the terminal.

I also tried installing Lubuntu and Lubuntu Alt just to see if I can get some form on Linux on this machine but it just doesn't want to install. Maybe I should try out some older versions of Ubuntu or something ?? Wonder if that would work.

Out of curiosity I put Windows XP disk in to install, the machine doesn't freeze up ! But I'd like to stay away from that if I can !

I really like Linux lite and would like to get it on this machine but this problem is very strange for me. I don't know what else to try out, if you do, please let me know.

Wonder if I should try swapping out the memory for different sticks ??

Thanks,

Glin22

[rokytnji]

I am a AntiX team member. Try the MX-14 cd iso for 32 bit but with pae if the cpu and ram can handle it.
I run it on a IBM M57 tower OK and it is close to Linux-Lite except it is based on Debian Jessie.
If it freezes on that installer. Not sure what to tell you.

http://www.mepiscommunity.org/mx

Be sure and check out video tutorials on the left of the page.
I am running XFCE 4.12 on the IBM Tower with Iceweasel experimental 38.0.

I like both distros so nobody yell at me for posting this. I run LL on 3 boxes. I run AntiX on 3 boxes.
Evens Stevens.

Edit: Just a thought. Post inxi -F from that box while running live before a install.
Or generate a system report and upload it to the forum if inxi does not cooperate.
Also. Answer me this. Are you making a /swap partition before running the LL installer?

[rokytnji]

Windows XP will install on a Pentium 3 with 256MB of ram.

So that is not a fair comparison with a 2015 modern linux distro with a Desktop Enviornment.
Probably why it does not freeze up.

If this box you are dealing with is a 512MB ram box or even 1 gig.
If me.
I'd roll with a Window Manager distro like this or this.

Either or should be easy to use for a new linux user without using a Desktop Enviornment and using a Window manager instead.

[glin22]

Freekin' Hell !! I got this beech to work !

What I did was to swap out memory modules, I am thinking that the contacts got a bit corroded and needed reseating for better contact or perhaps the mem was indeed bad.

Everything works now, the mouse and keyboard are flawless, I am writing this reply on the new machine while listening to music in the background with clementine.

I just wanted to share some things that might be good to check out before doing an install, especially on an older system. If this stuff has been posted elsewhere, feel free to edit this posting.

Check out the cpu and heatsink, on one system I fixed there was no heatsink compound, there was a label covering it !! No wonder the fan was going on high speed all of the time, after I redid it, no problem.

I'd reseat stuff to make sure you are getting a good contact on parts, this would have saved me a bunch of time.

Check the cmos battery to see if it's still has a good charge.

And like you say, make sure the DVD or install disk is clean, and try another DVD player if there are problems.

Hope this can save someone else from going through the grief I did.

Thanks for all of the feedback, appreciate that.

Glin22

[N4RPS]

Hello!

Glad you were able to get things straightened out. Windows XP must not have called the RAM in question.

Reseating RAM can cure a number of problems. Done carelessly (usually, misalignment or reinstalling in a different slot than the one they came from), it can also CAUSE problems. You see, gold DOES tarnish, and a lot of times, these deposits can be invisible.

In the Air Force, we had special wipes to use to keep the gold-plated plugs that we plugged into the communications patch panels clean...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob